Out in Front: April 11, 1996

Although Windows still has no real-time pre-emptive capabilities, the widespread availability of development tools and the Windows interface allow designers to quickly develop code for embedded products. As a result, designers are constantly searching for ways of using the PC in embedded real-time applications. The Nucleus RTWIN software from Accelerated Technology now provides a way to add real-time response to Windows-based embedded applications.

Accelerated Technology developed RTWIN to run at the Ring 0 level in the Windows architecture, thereby guaranteeing pre-emption capabilities for protected-mode applications that run side-by-side with Windows applications on 386, 486, and Pentium processors. Developers can use Windows tools for the user interface and code the time-critical tasks for the Nucleus real-time kernel.

The Nucleus Plus real-time kernel costs $7500, and no runtime royalties apply. The virtual device drivers and dynamic-link libraries that complete the RTWIN product cost $9995, and runtime royalties are $50 (one to 999).

—by Maury Wright
Accelerated Technology Inc, Mobile, AL. (334) 661-5770.